Friday, September 30, 2011

Forest Officials Suspect Anthrax Scare at Periyar Tiger Reserve.

By: Rang7 Team September 26, 2011

The possibility of an Anthrax epidemic outbreak has led to creating a fearful atmosphere at the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Last week the body a female elephant was found at Vallakkadavu range
opposite to Nellikkampetti in the Thekkady range of the reserve. Forest
officials who found the body and carried out a detailed examination said
that the death has occurred due to unnatural conditions and suspect
mainly due to anthrax.
The forest veterinary officials suspected symptoms of anthrax in the
animal and samples have been sent for detailed test. Following the
suspicions the body was not cut open and burnt as soon as possible
without carrying out a post mortem examination, though a final
confirmation of the disease will only be made after the results are out.

According to forest officials, the Anthrax virus generally lives
for over 30 years. “Even if it is Anthrax, the virus must have been
alive in the soil for such a long time. We don’t think there is the
possibility of an epidemic outbreak in the wake of this incident,” an
official said.
Wildlife experts and officials often fear such epidemic outbreaks
which can wipe out an entire species. Fears of such instances occurring
are often expressed in case of the Asiatic Lion which is found only in
Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat. Experts fear that in case of an
epidemic the entire species can be wiped out in one instant and are
therefore are actively proposing for the lions to be transferred to
other National Parks around the country as well. This will help to save
the species in case of a problem in one area.
Source: http://www.rang7.com/news/national-park/forest-officials-suspect-anthrax-scare-periyar-tiger-reserve-915.htm

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"If ever you feel like an animal among men, be a LION" -Criss Jami, American Musician and Poet. "Lion: The fiercest and most magnanimous of the four footed beasts" - Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language (1755)

Asiatic Lion Protection Society

Asiatic Lion Protection Society (ALPS) founded in year 2006, is an NGO working mainly for conservation of Asiatic Lion in Gir forest and in Indian Zoos. Main objectives: To compile max. information about Asiatic Lion plus Gir forest and spread it through out the globe by website, blogs, Wikipedia, yahoo groups etc To help protection & conservation of Asiatic Lion & Gir forest by taking up projects like - Building parapets on open wells. - To contact and request nationalize banks of Gir area to put a condition to built parapet on open wells while sanctioning loan to farmers - At the time of festivals, organize camps near temples like Kankai, Banej & Tulsi Shyam to educate tourist to protect wildlife. - To distribute information and awareness leaflets at check-post to visitors using jungle roads. - Make representation & persuade Govt. to make Gir 'A Plastic Free Zone. Similarly contact local civil bodies to make their areas A Plastic free zone. To inform authorities about illegal activities inside the jungle like wood-cutting, removal of forest produce, poaching, illegal grazing etc. To inform authorities about injured wild animals. Also educate locals of Gir forests as well as school/college students to conserve Gir forest, it's wildlife and to represent to Govt. in favor of trans-location of Asiatic Lion to some other good place in Gujarat. P S: We welcome your comments & posts and expect that our conversation will follow the general rules of respectful civil discourse. You’re fully responsible for everything that you submit here in your comments & posts.

Discover Gir forest with us...

If you wish to travel Gir forest... we will be happy to help, guide and accompany you to explore Gir forest for the best experience. Please contact us for the same.

Gir forest...Gir lies has a topography made up of succession of rugged ridges, isolated hills, plateaus and valleys. Besides, being the last abode of Asiatic lions, Gir forms a unique habitat for ratel, rusty spotted cat, pangolin, ruddy mongoose, civets, paradise flycatcher etc.The overwhelming presence of the omnipotent big cat diverts the attention of the common man from the remarkable bird population that the sanctuary has. However, the birds of Gir sanctuary did attract the great ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali who believed that, had the Asiatic lions not been there, the area would have been one of the most fascinating bird sanctuaries of the country.People mostly link Gir with "Maldharis" who have survived through the ages by having symbiotic relationship with the lion. They are religious pastoral communities living in Gir. Their settlements are called "nesses".At present, Gir forests of Gujarat (India) is the only natural place where this race of lions i.e. Asiatic lion is found.